JP

Off the coast of Tadoussac, we come across a herd of belugas numbering 40 to 50 individuals. They are mostly white, with a few young greys mixed in. Counting the belugas is not so straightforward, as the sun is creating a distracting glare on the water. Within the herd, we recognize JP, which is one of the few belugas that we can recognize on the water thanks to his scars and spots that resemble brush strokes. We hear vocalizations on the surface, in addition to seeing fins splitting the waves, tails slapping, and bodies jostling. Not too far away, we spot a minke whale feeding. Are the belugas and the minke whale sharing the same feast? Unfortunately, our documentation work is interrupted by a problem with our boat’s engine. We return to port to take a closer look.

The summer of 2016 – our 32nd season at sea with the belugas – was once again rich in encounters and surprises. Good news: after a brief one-year absence, we saw JP again this summer. Unlike all of our previous encounters where he was in herds of juvenile males (the “teenagers”), JP was seen for the first time in a herd of adult males including a few juveniles. Perhaps he is about to choose a network in which he will develop long-term associations with other males?

August 30, 2016: we take advantage of the gorgeous weather to visit the downstream sector, where we regularly come into contact with herds of males. We cross paths with JP off Îles aux Basques. He’s in a herd of some sixty individuals, including adults and a few gray individuals. The herd is split into about ten groups of six at fifteen belugas. We also recognize males DL0269, Douxi and DL0370.

The animals are scattered and highly active. Some belugas poke their heads above the surface as if to spy on us, others are spitting out water. They’re swimming dynamically and in one distinct direction when they suddenly stop, dive and resurface several times at the same spot. They’re probably feeding. The encounter with JP is also very rich in terms of acoustics. We hear all kinds of vocalizations: door squeaks, whistles and much more. Belugas are aptly nicknamed “canaries of the sea”.

There’s no denying it, October weather is cold and rainy. For the moment, the droplets aren’t strong enough to damage our equipment, so we head out to continue our photo-identification work aboard the Bleuvet. Off the coast of Grandes-Bergeronnes, we find a herd of around forty large gray or white belugas. By the size of their shoulders, we’re dealing with a herd of males. One beluga has a beautiful series of spots on his right flank: it’s JP. He’s now considered dirty white, which means he’s approaching adulthood. As the rain intensifies, we have to stop our work. Fortunately, we were able to add some information to JP’s life story.

JP was observed in a herd of approximately 60 beluga whales at the mouth of the Saguenay. The herd was composed of white adults and a few young adults. JP is still light grey in colour and swims with other very active light grey beluga whales.

Early this morning, visibility is excellent. We’re sailing near Ile aux Fraises, off the coast of Kamouraska. JP is recognized in a herd of fifteen or so individuals, consisting mostly of young juveniles that we’ve nicknamed the “teenagers”. Within the herd we are able to make out several small gray heads, which are seals. After an hour of observing, we attempt a biopsy. Bull’s eye! We’ll be able to analyze the DNA of one of JP’s companions and piece together a little more of its story.